In the courts: Highland woman admits to felony drug charge

The following items are based on information provided by officials in law enforcement and the criminal justice system.

Ulster County Court

• Drugs: Ellen “Peggy” Gersch, 54, of 75 Mackey Road, Highland, pleaded guilty Friday before Ulster County Judge Donald Williams to criminal possession of controlled substance, a felony. She was arrested on April 9, 2014, by members of the Ulster Regional Gang Enforcement Narcotics Team (URGENT) as part of a sting called “Operation Spring Cleaning,” and was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal sale of a controlled substance, both felonies. At the time of her arrest, authorities said she had cocaine in her possession. More than 30 arrests were made during the sting and more than 1,000 decks of heroin were seized as part of a seven-month investigation into drug trafficking in Ulster County.

• DWI: Christopher McCarthy, 35, of St. Remy, was sentenced Friday to five years probation for felony drunken driving. He also had his license revoked and was fined. McCarthy was arrested on Abeel Street by state police at Highland on Jan. 18 for drunken driving and aggravated drunken driving, both felonies. He pleaded guilty to drunken driving on June 13. McCarthy additionally was ordered to complete 60 days of community service, according to the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office.